Moving on and getting over.
Sports fans… we’re finally getting to see the consequences of money and contracts seeping into the amateurism of college athletics. NIL, or Name, Image and Likeness, has officially opened up a can of worms, and I believe that can will be open forever more. We’re seeing the ugliness (can’t spell ugliness without NIL) of the new era of college athletics play out in real time over at the University of Tennessee.
Yesterday, it was made public that Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava missed meetings and practice on Friday. The junior QB allegedly skipped out on the team events because he was interested in (or rather demanding that he receive) $4 million dollars in guaranteed NIL money to continue playing for the Volunteers. Sheesh… remember when student-athletes used to play for the pride of their school?
On3 Sports reported earlier this week that Nico Iamaleava was reportedly seeking to re-negotiate his NIL deal ahead of the April 16, when the transfer portal opens up and players can leverage and bargain for deals with other schools. Iamaleava’s father, Nic, quickly denied those claims:
Though it certainly looked like those claims had some truth to them when Nico Iamaleava was a no-show at the University of Tennessee’s Friday meetings and practice.
After representatives of the QB feverishly denied that Iamaleava was looking to renegotiate his NIL deal with UT, he surprised Tennessee football coaches and players when he was nowhere to be found during yesterday’s team activities. ESPN’s Chris Low reported the news early on Friday, and hey… when you say you aren’t renegotiating, but then you don’t show up to fulfill team duties, it’s a situation where actions speak louder than words:
Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava, amid reports that he wanted to renegotiate his NIL deal, did not show at Friday morning’s practice, sources told ESPN, and it was a surprise to Tennessee staff members and players. Iamaleava’s reps denied Thursday there was any renegotiation talk.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) April 11, 2025
After the news broke, Tennessee fans quickly turned on their QB that threw for 2,600 yards with 19 touchdowns and 5 interceptions last season. There were comments on social media and message boards suggesting that Nico wasn’t worth another two million dollars to “continue missing the long ball” and that if Iamaleava “ain’t all orange, he ain’t all in.”
Certainly seems like he’s all in on a different color… green.
After yesterday’s controversy, ESPN’s Pete Thamel made what felt like the inevitable official. The University of Tennessee told Thamel that they were moving on from Nico Iamaleava, and stated that his absence during yesterday’s meetings and practice was the main motivator for that decision.
And I’m sure not wanting to pay him $4 million next season had nothing to do with it:
Sources: Tennessee is moving on from starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Tennessee coach Josh Heupel informed the team of the decision at a team meeting this morning. Iamaleava missed meetings and practice on Friday, which was the driver of this decision. pic.twitter.com/BsdhJMDXiz
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 12, 2025
I don’t blame Tennessee – or their fans – for wanting to move on from Iamaleava. He was already making around $2 million a year after he reportedly signed a deal worth around $8 million when he got to Knoxville, and the junior wasn’t putting up that great of numbers to justify shoveling over another $2 million on top of that.
Ultimately, looks like Nico Iamaleava…. is Iamaleav-ing. I’ve actually got a prediction of where he’ll end up too. I’d guess that he’ll be suiting up for the University of Whatever School Pays Him $4 Million Per Season. I hear they have a great weight training facility…
But also worth noting:
Just a reminder: Players in the SEC can't transfer inside the conference during the spring portal window. https://t.co/W2nKs4JQ0A
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) April 12, 2025
SOMEONE PLEASE FIX, OR AT THE VERY LEAST REGULATE, THE WILD WEST THAT IS NIL.
